Pony Rides
Our youngest Bynden Wood Day Campers and campers in our Explorer program at Camp Conrad Weiser will all have a pony ride. Once a week the youngest campers get to experience horse riding in the pony arena.
Horseback Riding Lessons
All campers ages 7 and up, in Bynden Wood or 9 and up (traditional camp) for Camp Conrad Weiser, may sign up for English riding lessons. This add-on program allows campers to go to the barn five days a week for a 1 hour lesson. Lessons will included un-mounted and mounted time at the barn. After passing the rider test, each camper will ride on the trail. There is a maximum of 8 students per class.
Specialty Horse Riding Camp
Ages 9 – 15
This Specialty Riding Camp is for the serious equestrian. In addition to horse care Campers will improve current riding skills and ride on miles of camp’s mountain-top trails. Campers will spend the whole day at the barn and will have one activity period of traditional camp activities. Campers should have an adequate skill level to control the horse at a posting trot to participate in this program. Campers will be evaluated on Sunday evening and placed in the appropriate lesson group for the week.
2023 Riding Camp dates:
Riding Camp Session A – June 18 – June 23 (One Week)
Riding Camp Session E – August 06 – August 11 (One Week)
*All participants in our Riding Programs must wear long pants, closed-toed shoes and an approved Riding Helmet (we provide helmets).
If you do not find the date/time you are looking for or have a question, click above button to contact the provider.
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• No refunds will be made for late arrivals or early departures.
• In case of homesickness, dismissal, or voluntary withdrawal there is NO refund of any fees.
• A $200 non-refundable deposit is required for each camp session with registration. Tuition balance is due 2 weeks prior to your camp experience.
• All trading post deposits are non-refundable. Any remaining balance left in the Trading Post account will be donated to the SMYMCA campership fund. Cancellations and Refund Policy If a cancellation occurs 60 days prior to the beginning of the session, payments will be refunded, MINUS the deposit. After this time, no refund will be given.
We welcome you to the mountain and invite you to share in our Fire of Friendship, determined in our belief that every person shares the potential to grow in wisdom, to discover their unique and independent voice, to nurture others and to engage their communities. The fun and challenging programs we offer foster communication, trust, problem-solving and deeper spiritual connections, while preparing young people to lead and be led. The South Mountain YMCA Camps are more than a series of camping and retreat programs on the mountaintop, they are a way of life – a philosophy – that are exciting to explore and easy to embrace.
Keep the Fires Burning!
The Mission of the South Mountain YMCA is to provide a camping experience, educational and other programs that build personal leadership, character and life skills while developing caring, honesty, respect and responsibility in young people, families and communities.
The South Mountain YMCA Camps, operating as an independent YMCA Camp and Conference Center since 1983, has been providing youth recreational and educational programs for over 60 years (previously under the direction of the YMCA of Reading & Berks County). Camp Conrad Weiser and Bynden Wood Day Camp provide the primary backdrop for all activities, however program opportunities today stretch into areas of Outdoor Education and Environmental Education Programs, Curriculum Training, Corporate Conferencing, Kindred Group Retreats, Church Retreats, Parent/Child Programs, and more.
The YMCA serves over 8,500 individuals annually with participants largely drawn from the local area and surrounding communities. Our summer campers come from Pennsylvania, our neighboring states, and more than a dozen other countries.
Our team are the heart and soul of the South Mountain YMCA Camps. Our services and programs are about developing people, and it takes a dedicated and passionate team make them happen.
Facility and Location
The South Mountain YMCA Camps reside outside of Reading, PA on the border of Berks and Lancaster counties. Our properties include the beautiful vista of Cushion Peak. The main entrance to our 600 acres can be found at 201 Cushion Peak Road, Reinholds, Pa. The lodge is comprised of the Tea Room, the Auditorium (seats 100 comfortably), Bathrooms, and the Lodge Kitchen.
The Bynden Wood Lodge: is perfect for team building activities, or for special events and retreats.
The Dining Hall: built in 1948, seats 200 adults, and is perfect for events and retreats
The Wigwam: Constructed of two levels. The top floor is an auditorium with a stage, and the lower level is comprised of bathrooms and a recreation hall.
Cabins: There are 24 identical cabins on our site. Each has 14 bed for a total of 336 beds. The cabins are broken into 4 villages, and each village has it’s own shower house per village.
Shower House: Each village has a shower house with showers and toilets for 84 people.
The Durdan Chapel: The Chapel includes outdoor seating with sound support for 300 adults.
The Duberstein Equestrian Center: Ideal for hosting equestrian events, our outdoor ring features a judges booth and a concession stand.
Other facilities include: The Climbing Wall, The Schiaroli Zip Line, The High Rope Course, Tennis Courts, Basketball Courts, and a pool
With more than 600 acres and 90 buildings, the South Mountain YMCA Camps offer plenty to see and do. We hope you’ll join us in exploring one of the most beautiful spots in Pennsylvania.
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| Program Name | Grade | Age | Hightlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Overnight Camps | {{ ''.slice(0, -5) }} ∼ | 18+ {{ '7 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} ∼ 18+ {{ '17 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} | SMYMCA Camp Conrad Weiser was voted Best of Berks County Living from 2015 - 2021 |
| Literary Theme Camps | {{ '5th grade'.slice(0, -5) }} 5th grade ∼ 10th grade | 18+ {{ '10 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} ∼ 18+ {{ '15 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} | SMYMCA Camp Conrad Weiser was voted Best of Berks County Living from 2015 - 2021 |
| Teen Adventure & Leadership Programs | {{ '5th grade'.slice(0, -5) }} 5th grade ∼ 10th grade | 18+ {{ '12 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} ∼ 18+ {{ '16 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} | SMYMCA Camp Conrad Weiser was voted Best of Berks County Living from 2015 - 2021 |
| The International Camper Exchange Program (ICEP) | {{ '8th grade'.slice(0, -5) }} 8th grade ∼ 10th grade | 18+ {{ '13 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} ∼ 18+ {{ '15 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} | The South Mountain YMCA Camps has been running ICEP trips with YMCA Camps around the world for more than 50 years. |
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